Recently, new signs in Straz Tower were put up as a part of a university wayfinding project that intends to help people navigate around campus, according to Richard Arcuri, associate dean for administration in Residence Life.,”There's some new advice for anyone who has ever gotten confused looking for the Rec Plex or trying to pick up a check in Straz Tower: just look up.

Recently, new signs in Straz Tower were put up as a part of a university wayfinding project that intends to help people navigate around campus, according to Richard Arcuri, associate dean for administration in the Office of Residence Life.

The new brown signs direct people entering Straz Tower to the dining room, Rec Plex, barbershop, human resources, Office of Finance and the comptroller's office. There is also a new directory at the entrance.

"Straz needed some signage," said Janet Gottfreid, project coordinator in the Office of the University Architect, which is managing the wayfinding project.

Gottfried said the building contains such a mix of services that signage was needed to help people navigate.

According to some, the signs are making a big difference in navigating around Straz Tower.

"From a desk receptionist perspective, they're really nice to have," said Megan Bartoszewski, a College of Arts & Sciences junior who swipes MarquetteCards in Straz Tower. "We have a lot less people asking where the Rec Plex or the bursar's office are."

Bartoszewski said occasionally people would turn and start walking up the stairs to the dorm section of the building thinking they were going to an office on the second floor.

She said there was always a directory, but people didn't notice it. Now when people ask, she said she can just point to the signs.

Arcuri said there is a lot of traffic going through Straz, so the signs help people who don't know their way around the building.

"The signs are very visible and clear," Arcuri said. "They're a wonderful addition to get people to where they need to be."

Bartoszewski said when the first sign went up that read, "David A. Straz, Jr. Tower," she thought it was pointless.

"If you're in the building, you know where you're at," Bartozewski said.

But as more signs were added, they looked appealing, she said.

Holly Peterson, College of Business Administration sophomore, agreed the signs are aesthetically appealing.

"They look really good – they're clear and easy to read," Peterson said.

But some students didn't see the signs until they were pointed out.

"I didn't notice them at first," said Brian Suerth, College of Communication sophomore. "They blended in because of the brown color."

Suerth said although the signs may be useful for a first-time visitor, he said he thinks the funding for the signs could be used for other more important purposes.

"I think the funding should be allocated back to students, or to develop ways for Marquette to be more environmentally conscious," Suerth said.

Gottfreid said she did not know how much the signs cost.

Suerth said such beautification projects could result in a masking of more important campus issues.

"By averting the student body's attention with these inane displays of school beautification, we are detracting and diverting our attention from real issues on campus," Suerth said.

Arcuri said he expects more of such directional devices to be added to other campus buildings.

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